• Who attended the conference: Harry S. Truman (USA), Winston Churchill (UK, succeeded by Clement Attlee mid-conference), Joseph Stalin (USSR).
• What happened: During the conference, the participants agreed to implement agreements made at the Yalta Conference. They also addressed the the administration of post-war Germany and Europe. Key Agreements:
Germany: Confirmed the division of Germany into occupation zones; established protocols for denazification, demilitarization, and reparations.
Territorial Changes: Approved changes in European borders, including the shifting of Poland's borders westward.
Japan: Issued the Potsdam Declaration demanding Japan’s unconditional surrender, with the threat of "prompt and utter destruction" if refused.
Post-War Order: Discussed the future of Europe, including the handling of war criminals and the restoration of peace.
• When: July 17- August 2, 1945
• Where: Potsdam, Germany.
• Why: To discuss post-WWII Europe, resolve territorial disputes, and plan the occupation of Germany.
• How the Postdam Conference impacted History: Intensified Cold War divisions and influenced the shape of post-war Europe and global politics.
THE BIG IDEA: During this period, Nazi Germany had already surrendered but and the Empire of Japan was still undefeated. The alliance between the USSR, the United States and the United Kingdom was still alive, but rift with tension and mistrust.
Pages to study: pg. 45 – 47 of The Making of the 20th Century World 1940s – 1991 (Unit 2). Look out for the Manhattan Project and the major disagreements over Germany and Eastern Europe.
References: ChatGPT, Wikipedia, The Making of the 20th Century World 1940s – 1991 co-authored by Ben Walsh (Hodder Education), 2126 Syllabus Document and 2261 Syllabus Document